The instant replay debate will probably never end. Get comfortable. Image: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As a college baseball umpire, I have always supported the human element of the sport and I have never been on board with any form of instant replay. I’m still not. There is already too much grey area in the review process. Some things are reviewable, some aren’t. Where does it stop? Don’t get me wrong, I love Bob Brenly, but he is so anti-umpire sometimes that it makes me mad. Bert can’t even name the umpiring crew without getting some sort of groan from BB. Although Bob is tongue in cheek (I think) when he suggests robot umpires, some people actually support the idea. Missed calls are going to happen. That’s just the nature of the game. Players miss fly balls all the time, why can’t an umpire miss a safe/out call? Some people have said that Angel Hernandez did not overturn the call because he doesn’t support instant replay. Okay, but now he looks like an idiot, so that probably wasn’t the best way to handle it. Hernandez’ proverbial “screw you” to the league offices didn’t work too well. Eliminating any replay will also make umpires better at what they do. It has to.

While I realize that more instant replay will likely be added next year (maybe even this year), I think more problems will arise. Where do we draw the line of what can be reviewed? Going back to Bob Brenly, he suggested a review for the play last night that brought Goldy of the bag and umpire Vic Carapazza called Delmon Young safe. I actually think Carapazza made the right call on that play. Don’t tell Bob Brenly I said that, though. I think it is ridiculous to have replay of plays like that. Why even have an umpire in the first place? Let’s be honest, a lot of people don’t like umpires because they are never hitting walk off homers or throwing perfect games. It’s a fairly non-glamorous job that people are quickly losing respect for. The more instant replay we have, the less umpires are needed. How long until umpires become obsolete completely? This idea scares me because I support the profession of umpires and I take pride in what I do. I know that the MLB umpires feel the same way.

Finally, the instant replay idea is so difficult because it’s hard to draw a line in the sand and say these are the things that are reviewable, and these things aren’t. Pretty soon, replay will be available on bang-bang plays at first and who’s knows what else? To eliminate any grey area and discrepancies in replay, the best solution is no not have any at all. Let baseball play itself out and stop trying to eliminate the human element. The day a robot starts calling balls and strikes is the day I stop watching baseball.

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Prado turned down the ability to seek arbitration or free agency at the end of the season, as he looked for the security of a long-term deal instead. Prado told ESPN.com that he was looking for a place where he could contribute for a long time.

Sept. 19, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Martin Prado (14) starts to field a base hit by Miami Marlins center fielder Gorkys Hernandez (not pictured) during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

“Since I got to the big leagues I’ve been looking to be more secure,” he said, “to be in the right spot and not have to worry about going through free agency. The way I am right now, I’m happy. I’m going to play more relaxed. I think I needed it.”

Prado will most likely play third base the majority of the time for the D’backs this season. He has played shortstop, second base, first base and both corner outfield positions in his seven-year major league career. His versatility is one of the main reasons why Arizona asked for him in return for outfielder Justin Upton.

The 29-year-old Prado told ESPN.com today that he was initially shocked about the trade but  is excited to get to work in Arizona.

“Now I see everything more clear, and I’m happy to be aboard with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Prado said.”

Prado is eager to see where he fits into the lineup this season. Aaron Hill had a great season last year hitting second for the D’backs.  Prado is one of the game’s elite contact hitters and while he said that his preference throughout his career was to hit second, he did not care where he hit and could make adjustments if necessary.

“I’ve been in the second hole pretty much all my career,” Prado told ESPN.com. “I can put the ball in play, I can hit the ball to right field. That’s more me, but I can adjust myself to any situation in the game, he stated.”

Prado prides himself on doing the little things well and he likes that manager Kirk Gibson looks for that in his ball players.

“What I heard is he’s an aggressive guy,” Prado said. “He likes the little things. He likes to move the runner, and I like that, man. He understands. He played the game a long time. He played the right way, and he likes those guys.”

The Diamondbacks have answered many doubters who believed that Prado would be a one-and-done player in Arizona. Some felt that he would parlay any success this year into seeking a huge deal on the open market. But, the D’backs told their fans that they were going to sign him long term and they did just that today, securing a big part of their future for the coming years.

September 2, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher David Hernandez (30) pitches in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Hernandez is coming off of his two best seasons since being converted from a starter in Baltimore to a bullpen weapon in Arizona. He came to Arizona in the deal that sent Mark Reynolds to the Orioles. In Baltimore, Hernandez had his struggles as a starter. He was 12-18 as a starter over two seasons with a 4.93 ERA. He always possessed a devastating fastball (94-97 mph) and a good slider (87-89 mph) with late break, but had trouble dialing it in over longer innings. He walked more batters and had trouble with his consistency as a starter. In 2011, the 27-year-old right hander appeared in 74 games for the D’backs, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.38 ERA. The hard-throwing Hernandez struck out 77 batters in 69 1/3 innings, proving that when you needed a reliever to come in and miss some bats to leave runners on base, he could be your guy. He also collected 11 saves, proving that if necessary, he could close out games as well. In 2012, Hernandez was slotted into the same role of 8th inning set-up man and he proved that his 2011 season was not a fluke. He amassed a 2-3 record but improved his ERA (2.50) and struck out more hitters (98) in one less inning of work (68 1/3 IP). His strikeout to walk ratio was massively impressive (4.45-1), he improved his Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched or WHIP (1.1-1.0) and his Wins Above Replacement rating was a 1.7, which is solid for a reliever.

Sept. 11, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hernandez was honored for his achievements this off-season as he was asked to play with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. He accepted the invite and  as he will team with Giants closer Sergio Romo, giving them a devastating finishing duo to contend with. For the D’backs in 2013, Hernandez and Bell could potentially share the 8th inning set-up role if Bell can revert back to his previous All-Star form. Bell could also work the 7th and share time there with Brad Ziegler on occasion. Hernandez has settled into the set-up role and I would not move him. If his statistical trajectory is any indication of what is form may be this season, expect even bigger things from the flame throwing reliever during this campaign.